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Sports 02-09-2011

The Revere High girls basketball team showed this week that not only are they adept at winning the runaway games, but that they also know how to win the close ones.

The Lady Patriots journeyed Thursday to Danvers, the Northeastern Conference team many had thought would have the best chance of knocking off Coach Diana DeCristoforo’s undefeated Revere girls.

And indeed, for almost the entire contest (about 30:20 to be exact), Danvers seemed to be on the verge of ending the Lady Patriots’ run of victories. Playing before a big crowd estimated at 400-500 fans, the home team Lady Falcons held a six point advantage with 1:40 to play.

But close only counts in horseshoes and 32 minutes does a (high school) basketball game make. After Revere regrouped with a timeout, a basket by Marissa Parent, a three pointer from the baseline by Gena Restiano, and free throws by Morgan Jenkins and Restiano soon erased the Danvers lead and eventually propelled the Lady Patriots to a 50-46 triumph.

“The game had a tourney atmosphere,” said DeCristoforo. “It’s the type of game we need to win at this time of the year, so it was really nice to see the girls maintain their poise and come back to pull it out.”

Revere had jumped out to a nine point lead at one point in the second period, but unlike all of the Lady Pats’ previous opponents this season, Danvers refused to fold and battled back to make it a one point affair at the intermission.

The teams continued to trade punches and counterpunches throughout the second half, but it was Revere that finally would prove to have what was needed for a knockout blow.

The following night’s contest against Salem proved to be a return to the typical scenario that has befallen most of Revere’s opponents this season as the Lady Patriots cruised to a 56-30 victory.

Revere jumped out to a 17-9 advantage after one frame and more than doubled their lead at the half, 33-15, thanks to a stifling defense that allowed Salem just six points in the second period. Salem never threatened after that, allowing DeCristoforo to use her reserves liberally in the final 16 minutes.

“We were a bit sloppy at the start because we may have been a little bit fatigued after having played the night before,” said DeCristoforo, noting that the Danvers game had been postponed from Tuesday to Thursday because of the snow storm. “But the girls knew what they had to do and they did it.”

Parent led the point parade with 12, followed by Jenkins with 11, Restiano with 10, Caramello with eight, and Amy Rotger with seven.

DeCristoforo and her crew, who stand at a perfect 14-0 on the season, were set to take on former GBL rival Medford this past Monday and Lynn English last night (Tuesday). They will host Beverly Friday, welcome Medford Monday, and entertain Lynn Classical next Tuesday.

They will close out their regular season next Friday at Peabody.

Ritchie sets RHS long jump mark

The Revere High boys indoor track team put on a strong showing at last Thursday’s Northeastern Conference Meet at the Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center. Coach Jack Mosko’s Patriots finished fifth among the 12 teams at the competition with 43 points.

The top finisher for Revere was Breny Guzman, who captured first place in the 300 meter dash in a time of 38.19 seconds to claim the title of NEC Indoor Champion in that event.

Other medalists for Revere who added points to the Revere score sheet by placing in the top six were: Albion Lici, who took sixth in the 55 meter hurdles in 8.95; Robert Rose with a third in the 300 in 38.51; Mike Fitzpatrick with a third in the 600 in 1:26.69; Brahim Rhazi with a third in 1000 in 2:41.77; a second by the 4 x 400 relay quartet of Fitzpatrick, Devin Colon, Johnny Lopes, and Rhazi 3:42.24; Joe Ritchie (who also reached the finals of the 55 meter dash, but finished in eighth position) with a second in the long jump in 20-.5; Vin DiChiara with a fifth in that event with a leap of 18-4.5; and Vito Licata with a third in the shotput with a toss of 43-1.

The meet also was notable because Ritchie’s long jump of 20-.5 set a new Revere High School record.

A number of the Patriots also qualified for the State Divisional Meet thanks to their superlative efforts: Rhazi in the 1000 meters, Fitzpatrick in the 600 meters, Ritchie in the long jump, Licata in the shot, and the 4 x 400 foursome of Fitzpatrick, colon, Lopes, and Rhazi.

On the girls side, Briana Scata was the lone Lady Patriot to reach the medalist circle with a fifth place effort in the shot put with her throw of 28-6.

Boys basketball team drops a pair

The Revere High boys basketball team dropped a pair of contests this week, falling to Salem, 85-55, on Friday and then to Danvers, 73-60, on Saturday.

The Patriots grabbed a 19-13 lead in the first period against Salem and expanded their advantage to 31-24 midway through the second frame. But then a combination of Patriot turnovers and a sharpshooting show by Salem’s Ralph Medrano (34 points including seven three pointers in the first half) proved fatal for the Pats.

“We committed 34 turnovers and there’s no way you can win a game playing like that,” said RHS head coach Rick Hayes.

Sean Quiroz enjoyed a nice night in the offensive department with 20 points to lead Revere in that category. Trae Weathers hit for nine, Greg Cabral added seven, Chris Palladino tossed in six, Paul Norton had five, D.K. Khalieng chipped in four, and Frank Colleran and Al Lagis, newly up from the JV, scored two points apiece.

The following night’s game against Danvers proved to be a roller coaster affair. Danvers held leads of 20-11 and 40-29 after the opening two periods, but the Pats, keyed by a monster game by Weathers (29 points and 18 rebounds) battled back to tie matters at 51-51 at the third buzzer.

The contest remained anyone’s game at 59-57 in Danvers’ favor midway through the final period, but then the Pats hit a scoring drought, especially at the free throw line. While Revere was shooting just three for 10 from the charity stripe in the final frame to finish with 11 for 21 on the night, Danvers was sinking its free throw chances en route to a 22 for 34 performance from the line that proved the difference in the 73-60 final score.

In addition to Weathers, Quiroz reached double figures with 11 points. Cabral, who had to leave the game on account of illness, had six points, as did Palladino. Colleran and Joseph Aut hit for four each.

The Pats played Lynn English last night (Tuesday) and will host Somerville tonight. They will play Beverly Sunday at Salem, travel to Lynn Classical Tuesday, and host Chelsea next Wednesday.

RHS Hockey team drops 3-1 decision to Swampscott

A lack of offensive punch proved fatal for the Revere High hockey team in a 3-1 loss to Swampscott Saturday.

After a scoreless first period, Swampscott got on the board twice in the second frame for a 2-0 lead at the second intermission. Dale Paradise breathed some life into a possible Patriot comeback bid with a goal early in the third stanza at 3:13. Peter Marino was credited with the assist.

However, that would prove to be the only lamplighter on the night for the Pats. Swampscott struck for an insurance goal four minutes later at 7:17 for the 3-1 finale.

“We came out flat and never seemed able to get it going,” said RHS head coach Jim Palumbo, who noted that his squad was outshot 27-19. However, the coach had words of praise for junior defenseman Drew Lauria and senior goaltender Jeff Redding, both of whom he lauded for their fine work throughout the contest.

The Patriots travel to take on former GBL rival Somerville tonight (Wednesday) and host Lynn Saturday evening at 5:00 at Cronin. Last Wednesday’s snowed-out contest at Winthrop tentatively has been rescheduled for Monday. Palumbo and crew will journey to Salem State College next Wednesday to play Marblehead.